Support member for tissues or paper hand towels in a cube or upright style box

ABSTRACT

A support member is described for facilitating the proper positioning of tissues or paper hand towels within a cube or upright style container.

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/632,443 filed Jan. 24, 2012 by the present inventor, Gregg R. Rapala.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a support member that facilitates the proper positioning of tissues or paper hand towels within a cube or upright style container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of facial tissues are provided in what's typically called a cube or upright style container, made of paperboard. The typical number of tissues provided in these box containers is generally between 50 and 90 tissues. The tissues are provided as a stack of interfolded tissues having been folded and inserted into the container with the mid-section of the stack, or fold of the stack, lying closest to the container's opening. The dispensing of these tissues works fine, until we have removed approximately half or more of the tissues. Then, often times, the folded stack of tissues will rotate and collapse down into the container making removal much more difficult. One needs to reach down into the small dispensing hole and try to grasp an edge of the top tissue, which often lies somewhat flat upon the rest of the tissues. Once the event of the folded stack rotating down into the container occurs, we no longer seem to have the same seamless dispensing of the tissues where the next-to-be-used tissues pops up being exposed for the taking. And, usually the stack will fall into the container again and again, making for multiple reaches into the container to restart the tissues to go through the box's opening. Any movement of the tissue box can also have the effect of making the folded stack of tissues want to collapse again into the box.

The same can happen for similarly packaged paper hand towels as well. Also, if the dispensing opening is on the bottom of the container, the hand towels are already by the opening (bottom of the container), but they may rotate to a less desirable position for easy removal. Therefore, the support member may perform more of an anti-rotation function for the towels in this case, and be on the top of, and inside, the fold of the stack of folded paper hand towels.

The present invention, as shown in the presently preferred embodiment, provides an inexpensive solution to the problems described above, by way of a support member. The support member also can assist in the manufacturing of the product as well, as an insertion member. Alternatively, the support member may be constructed as part of the container, as well.

The support member could also serve an additional purpose; it could have printing on it to make it a coupon, special offer, or game piece.

The upright style container could also be other than rectangular, such as an oval or pyramid shape.

Further advantages of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a support member that facilitates the proper positioning of tissues or paper hand towels within a cube or upright style container. The invention is anticipated to have wide use in cube style facial tissue boxes as often the stack of folded tissues rotates and falls inwards into the box, thus breaking the flow of exposed tissues as they are dispensed. A user must then reach into the box, try to grasp an edge of the top tissue, and try to restart that tissue as the next exposed and available tissue. The support member may also be used similarly for a paper hand towel dispenser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a strip of paperboard with fold lines shown.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the strip of paperboard of FIG. 1 having been folded at the fold lines shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the strip of paperboard of FIG. 2 further folded and rotated to stand upright on several of its' edges to make a support member that is to be included along with a folded stack of interfolded tissues in a box container.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a folded stack of interfolded tissues having the support member of FIG. 3 being partially inserted into the fold of the stack of interfolded tissues.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a box of tissues having a cut-away view to show the support member and tissues inside.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a strip of paperboard or similar material to be used to make a support member. The paperboard strip or support member (10) is shown in its' flat state. Three fold lines are shown as dashed lines. Perforations or indentations could be made in the material along these fold lines to aid in folding. Fold line (20), fold line (22), and fold line (24) are shown. The three fold lines making four segments of the support member, segment (32), segment (36), segment (38) and segment (30). Segment (36) and segment (38) being about equally sized, and segment (32) and segment (30) being about equally sized. As the presently preferred embodiment is made of paperboard, the term “fold line” is used. However, bends or other forming methods may also be employed, and are included within the scope of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of FIG. 1 showing the support member (10) having been folded at the three fold lines in a preferred manner, and depicting segment (30) for reference.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the support member (10) of FIG. 2 rotated to a preferred position for use.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the support member (10) of FIG. 3 with a stack of interfolded tissues or paper hand towels that have been folded and placed over a portion of the support member (10) with the segment (30) used for reference being shown exposed from the stack. Note that segment (32) is also shown exposed from the stack, but is not labeled in the figure as it is not being used as a point of reference. Folded edges of the interfolded tissues (or paper hand towels) (50) are shown, as well as the top tissue (or paper hand towel) (40).

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a container (60), having a cut-away view (90) in the flaps (70) that seal a side of the container (60). And, an opening with a thin plastic guide (80) is shown in the container (60) for dispensing the tissues (or paper hand towels). A tissue (40) can be seen sticking out of the container (60) and through the cut-away (90) is shown coming off the stack of interfolded tissues. The edges of the interfolded tissues are shown as (50), and the stack of tissues is being supported by the support member (10) as shown.

While various embodiments of the invention have been disclosed and described herein, it may be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A support member for a folded stack of folded sheeted cleaning media disposed within a container comprising: a material having been formed and placed with at least one surface of the material being within a fold of a stack of folded sheeted cleaning media disposed within a container, whereby movement of the stack of folded sheeted cleaning media within the container is reduced for the dispensing of the folded sheeted cleaning media.
 2. The stack of folded sheeted cleaning media of claim 1 being a stack of interfolded sheeted cleaning media.
 3. The support member of claim 1 that stands on several of its' edges during normal use of a sheeted cleaning media dispenser.
 4. The support member of claim 1 that is not attached to the container.
 5. The support member of claim 1 having edges that contact the inside of the container to reduce rotation of the support member within the container.
 6. The support member of claim 1 made of at least one of paperboard and plastic.
 7. The support member of claim 1 containing printed images.
 8. The sheeted cleaning media of claim 1 being at least one of facial tissues and paper hand towels.
 9. The support member of claim 1 formed by at least one of folding and bending of a thin material. 